Wind turbines are being designed based on models predicting yield and loading. These models are as good as the data with which they are validated. Therefore, a higher accuracy of reference wind measurements will result in more accurate models, and thus better wind turbines.

Within the ScanFlow project, ECN and DTU are very accurately measuring the wind turbine inflow wind field measure of an ECN research wind turbine with various DTU scanning LiDARs (Light Detection and Ranging). A LiDAR is a system that measures the wind remotely using laser light.

Testing facilitiesThe measurement campaign was executed at the ECN Wind turbine Test site Wieringermeer early 2017. Among others, the test site comprised a row of five of ECN’s 2.5MW research turbines, accompanied with a 100m-high meteorological mast.

The inflow wind field of the turbine is primarily measured with a DTU SpinnerLidar and three DTU short range scanners. The SpinnerLidar is mounted on the nacelle of the turbine, at 80m height. It scans the wind field about 60m in front of the turbine, taking a two-dimensional snapshot of the wind. The three short-range scanning LiDARs are placed on the ground that are programmed and synchronised such that they all measure at the same point in the wind field. By scanning or moving the laser beams, the researchers are able to capture the full three-dimensional aspects of the wind field. Furthermore, a ground-based profiling LiDAR captures the undisturbed wind conditions while a meteorological mast registers atmospheric conditions, providing essential background information for the model validation.

Unique, public datasetDetailed wind field measurements in front of a turbine are not commonly available. ECN and its partners make this unique, highly detailed and comprehensive dataset available to the research community via the ScanFlow website. The dataset will be used by academia and industry to improve and validate their models so that improvements in wind turbine design will continue.

Contact and more infoFor more information about the project and the public dataset, please contact Jan Willem Wagenaar via our contact form.